Falsely accused of a crime he did not commit, Shatto turned his back on his white heritage, preferring the peace of the Apache way of life. He thought he knew the course his life would take until a woman awakened him to the power of love. A QUESTION OF LOYALTY In the years following the Civil War, the Apache people vigorously fought to stop the Westward expansion into the Arizona and New Mexico Territories. The Apaches were born warriors--the fiercest of all the southwestern tribes, Even as youths they were taught to steal, fight and kill. It was their way of life, their culture. No other tribe of Indians could match the Apache for their tracking and scouting skills. They used movement, concealment, surprise and the land itself as if they were weapons. And indeed they were--deadly weapons that cost the lives of many whites and Mexicans. As the Apaches' attacks on unsuspecting travelers, teamsters, ranches and towns increased in number, President Grant sent companies of troops into the Territories to protect the travelers and to patrol the local ranches and towns. They had orders to subdue and control the hostiles my way they could. But to subdue and control the Apaches, one had to find them first. Therein, of course, was the problem which was the catalyst for hiring Indian scouts. Few military men believed that scouts would be effective in the fight against the Apache. The extensive use of scouts during warfare seemed to many to cast doubts about the capabilities of the regular Army. When Apaches were hired to track down and fight their own people, there was among the civilian and military population much puzzlement, disbelief and distrust. Where was their loyalty to their own? The Apache people did not live under a central government as did the whites; the tribe was broken down into subtribal groups: division, hands, and large family groups. Consequently, there was no one other than the immediate subtribal group to be loyal to. There was much intertribal jealousy and hate. Money attracted many scouts, No one thought the worse of a warrior who sold his marketable skills to the Army for pay. Money gave the warrior material wealth and wealth gave his status within his own group, To gain wealth by killing one's enemies was a virtue; to gain it by killing his own tribesmen was easily rationalized. Non-monetary reasons included a warrior's aversion to the reservation system; a scout was free to come and go. To the Apaches a reservation was a prison. As history shows--the end of the Apache wars was brought about with the help of Apache scouts and the capture of Geronimo.
Independence Taylor stood behind the door listening to the troopers'
descriptions of the four miners they had come across on their way to San
Simon stage station. Bullet and arrow riddled bodies. Stripped naked and
tied to the wagon wheels. Burned beyond recognition.
Despite the summer heat Indy felt chilled to the bone. She closed her
eyes and bowed her head, then whispered a short but fervent prayer.
"Dear Lord, I know I've been a trial to you over the years and to my
father, but I ask you to please watch over the troopers and me when we
leave here. Watch over us and keep us safe. I have so much to make up
for, Lord. I can't die knowing Father hasn't forgiven me."
Captain Aubrey Nolan had been about to put his hand on the door latch
when he heard the beginning of Indy's prayer. He turned away, not
wanting to intrude, and went back to his men. "Keep your voice down,
Sergeant," he said in an authoritative voice. "She's praying for our
safety."
"Yes, sir, Captain sir, but I was thinkin'. Mebbe it ain't such a good
idea t'take her back with us, what with Chie on another of his killin'
rampages. Mebbe if we was t'tell her how things was here, she'd catch
the next stage home and get the hell outa here."
"There won't be another stage for two days, Sergeant, and I don't think
the colonel would look too kindly on me, or you, if I left her here with
no women folk to look out after her. It wouldn't be seemly. Besides,
with the station keeper being short-handed, it would be more dangerous
to leave her here than take her with us."
The burly sergeant removed his forage cap and rubbed his fingers through
his greying hair. "I sure would hate t'see anything happen t'her. She's
such a li'l thing, not much bigger than a child, but I can see she's all
growed up and right purty if I do say so, with them big hazel eyes all
bright and shiny. Reminds me of a girl I knowed back in Georgia, 'afore
the war," Moseley said with a touch of melancholy. "Fragile, like one of
my mama's roses, she was. Would have wilted out here in this damnable
dry heat in no time. I'm thinkin' Miss Taylor's jes about as delicate as
that li'l girl. Why'd the colonel let her come, anyway? Smart as he is
--
or thinks he is -- seems he'd have better sense. Damn fool thing lettin'
her come, if you ask me. Yep, a damn fool thing."
"Nobody's asking you, Sergeant, and, I might add, it's none of our
business. Now, order the men to mount up. We'll be leaving momentarily."
Moseley wheeled around and walked away, barking orders to the men.
Not once since leaving her St. Louis home, had Indy doubted the wisdom
of her decision to follow her father to his new post and make a proper
home for him. Not until a few moments ago, anyway. What the troopers had
seen on their way to the stage station was the reality of the 'Indian
problems' in the Territories -- the reality she'd read about in shocking
detail in the Army reports sent to her father to study in preparation
for his new command at Camp Bowie. The reports told a completely
different story from the innocuous newspapers articles which were
occasionally printed. Yet she had minimized the seriousness of the
reports because she didn't want them to deter her from making the
journey. She had convinced herself that her coming such a long distance
to make a home for her father and be his companion would somehow break
the awful barrier that had existed between them these last seven years.
Reviews
Tracy Farnsworth...
FIRES OF HEAVEN is a fast-paced historical romance that leaves the reader wanting more. Sizzling love scenes and fabulous characters meld into one hot story! Indy is an outstanding heroine-strong, sensitive and aware of the dangers she faces on a daily basis. Shatto is secretive, charismatic and utterly delicious; any woman would find him appealing!
My only criticism is that the story ended abruptly. While some readers enjoy creating the ending themselves, I am one of those who adores hearing about the "ever-after" part of the romance! Despite that grievance, FIRES OF HEAVEN will appeal to any historical fan!
Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author...
"Kitzmiller will delight fans of classic western romance. Well-researched, fast-paced and tightly-plotted. An exciting read."
Barbara Kelly, Affaire de Coeur...
"Kitzmiller is one of the most promising new authors on the bookshelves today."
About the Author
Considered to be an expert in the field of romance novels, Chelley
Kitzmiller gained a position as a book review columnist for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, then a year later for the Daily News of Los Angeles. She self-syndicated her reviews to a number of California newspapers including: the Los Angeles Times, Riverside Press Enterprise, Orange County Register, Bakersfield Californian, San Jose Mercury News, and others. Leaving newspaper reviewing behind, Chelley hired on with Publishers Weekly, the book industry's bible.
In 1985, Embassy Cassette bought Chelley's short story titled, "Dream Lover", then hired her to act as their acquisitions editor for their new Freeway Fighter Audio Romances. In March of 1988, Chelley opened Celebrity Books, a new/used bookstore in the California mountains.
Three years later when an offer came along she couldn't refuse, she reluctantly sold the store and dedicated herself to pursuing writing and selling her own novels. Today, Chelley has given up all her jobs except writing!
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